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She lets out an airy laugh and sighs, looking up to where the stars should be. It’s so dark and cold. So lonely. Distracted by these foggy thoughts Stelle lets out a small squeal, being attacked by yet another fragmentum monster.. “Bro chill out!” They let out, frustrated with exhaustion, rolling their eyes as the monster continues, more enraged than before. Striking it with their bat, hard. More aggressive than usual, well the cold winter airs can do that once in awhile cant they? Thinking to herself.
Wiping the sweat off her brow she grins, her eyelids growing so very heavy. “Mm..Can we finish this up later?” She throws her head back letting out a beastly yawn. God it’s late.
Clearing the remnants of fragmentum left in Rivet Town she drags herself to Boulder Town’s very own Grand Goethe Hotel. Cosy . Stelle lets out a satisfied sigh entering their hotel room. So very happy Gertie reserves a room for the heroic Trailblazer, chuckling to themself landing onto the bed. Stelle crawls under the sheets, not bothering to change, not even peeling off the jacket stuck to their skin..how unhygienic, very unsurprising for the trash connoisseur. They think to themself moments before drifting off. Goodnight Trailblazer.
—
Turning over, falling to the floor Stelle awakens, rubbing her backside in pain, “Ow…Wait a minute….” she yawns, twisting herself towards her phone, grabbing it and now lying on the floor. “Shit, I need to charge this, whaddapain….” She sighs and whines like a child. “Wait where do I charge my phone here, do their chargers work with this phone hmm, how the hell has my phone lasted this long????” She procrastinates some more before finally jumping up, her clothes from yesterday sticking to her, ew. “Might as well check out the Neverwinter Workshop on my way to discover the complexities of phone chargers!”
After getting ready and changed into a fresh set of clothes she heads to the Overworld, “Adventure awaits!!” She snickers to herself. Deciding to take the scenic route, she takes the cable car to the Administrative District.
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While quiet with their own thoughts they finally reflect on what really happened. How they haven't had a real breather until now. Wow. They raise a hand, it reaches for their chest, where a heart could be, where one wouldn’t be. Where they got stabbed by the very same lance they now use to Preserve , hah how comical. They lets out a shaky breath and raises their head to focus on their current destination. “No point in being so gloomy on the past.” They whispered to themself, a new determined expression growing on their face, hoping they didn’t attract any attention.
—
Now outside of Serval’s Workshop she peeks in and knocks, it seems lively today huh? Maybe one of the Trailblazer’s past companions are paying Serval a visit, perhaps one of the Landaus? Pela? That new assistant? Or maybe even one of her fellow trailblazers. Might as well see, she’s brimming with curiosity now! “Heya Serval! Am I interrupting?” She enters in a friendly tone.
Serval greets Stelle with a friendly smile and wave, but the moment Stelle sets her eyes on the guest her expression changes with shock and for some reason her ears and cheeks burn? What an unfamiliar sensation, whatever it doesn’t matter. Stelle’s mind races and she feels startled and before she gets to say anything her stomach makes a loud roar, she totally forgot to eat. Her face grows a fait but brighter colour.
“Oh hello infamous trailblazer, or should I say my dear friend!~” That cheerful voice, with a crooked smile they could recognise him from a mile away.
Green, no, emerald eyes stare into them, acting oh so innocent, he knows what he’s doing. The only slightly taller than them, man can be seen, head cocked towards her, his blue with silver end head of hair messy as usual, or maybe it’s suppose to be like that , covers one of those eyes. Those gorgeous eyes.
“Hah,,so…I just- I gotta just…- be-are-be!!” Stelle slowly walks back trying to reach for the door behind her, well, until.. “Leavin’ already friend? C’mon yer just got here!!” Sampo teases some more before Serval lets out a knowing cough to interrupt whatever this was suppose to be. “Ahem..Hey Trailblazer! Whatcha need? You don’t usually come for idle chatter?” Completely ignoring the tall, also curious, figure beside her.
“Oh yeah! I totally forgot!” Stelle thought to themself, all the embarrassment washing away, so carefree. “Can I use your phone charger?” Serval lets an amused breath out, rolls her eyes and throws Stelle a spare. “Was that really all??” She seems so genuinely confused, Stelle doesn’t understand why she’s so shocked, maybe it’s just a cultural difference, shrugging it off Stelle hands Serval some credits that should cover the fee and tries to scurry off, completely ignoring Sampo.
“Uh, rude!!” He lets out a feign offended look. “Oh hey Shampoo.” They tries to hide their amusement and barely looks towards his direction, halfway out the door. “Wait, howcome you’re here…I thought you guys had beef?” Stelle’s curiousity suddenly piqued once more, “Eh, Gepard sorta put in a good word for the guy and he seems cool with you so I was willing to give him another go. Surprised you got lil’ Gep on your side though.” Sampo raises his hands in defence, feeling the pair start to glare. “I’ve been on my best behaviour!! I even bring the guards breakfast in the morning hehe!” He gloats some more and notices Stelle’s gaze towards him, “Hmm..I wonder where I heard that before…” Stelle snickers and slowly backs away some more. “Well..It’s been great catching up! I gotta charge my phone now thanks Serval!!”
—
Sampo follows them out silently, it’s frightening how someone like him can be so silent. Stelle continues, heading back towards Boulder Town, taking a quicker route this time, they stops in their tracks, turning behind themself, towards Sampo, who is still following them for some odd reason. Stelle cocks their head to the side, shuffling towards a trash can behind them. They turn away once more, starting to dig through the can.
“Umm…Can I help you?” She asks, voice somewhat inaudible from her face covered in garbage. “Oh how kind of you, dearest trailblazer! Yes, indeed I am in need of your assistance..” She stopped for a moment, in the stillness, her face heats up again, feeling as though the Stellaron within her skips, like how a heart would. Or from the books she’s read have. She shakes her head, digging herself out and looks towards Sampo again, he has her attention. “Gonna make me go on another wild goose chase again, huh?” She leans her head on her fist. “No, no! Of course not!! You misunderstand!” He clasped his hands together, how familiar . “Then what? Spit it out!”
He grins, offers a hand, fiddling with his hair with the other. “Ooh, how gentlemanly of you.” Stelle teases, before rolling her eyes and taking his offer, their gloved hands intertwining. It was strangely warm, warmer than she’s ever felt, that she’s ever known to feel.
He leads her down to a restaurant close to the Fight Club. Likely a favourite for the locals, it looks quite cosy inside and empty. Might be nice. Sampo opens the door and pulls Stelle a chair. “Oh-so chivalrous of you. Maybe you should join up with Argenti.” She pokes, knowing he has no clue what she’s on about.
Stelle sits and opens the menu in front, so many options…”Umm…I have no idea what any of these are..” So caught off guard, when Sampo released their hand, he could feel her finger twitch and see how their expression dampened. It tore him, only slightly, would he ever admit. Trying to ignore their reaction he turns to them glancing at the menu. “Need help?” He smiles, it felt genuine. Somehow. They nod, staring with golden, honey eyes. He broke eye contact, after looking into those orbs, it felt like the sun and he felt like Icarus, it was intoxicating. He suggested a couple dishes and a waitress soon came up to them, food arriving shortly after.
Stelle’s face fully lit up, it was adorable, like when she digs for trash and finds some pleasant-looking trash. She digs in straight away, struggling with the utensils but hopes Sampo doesn’t notice or gets suspicious. She manages to get use to using them without too much trouble. “Thris is swo grood!!!” She glances at Sampo, face stuffed. He gives her an endeared smile, wiping her face with his handkerchief, oddly enough he didn’t get anything for himself, nothing but a cup of coffee.
After gulping the rest down and cleaning her face, Stelle looks at Sampo, curious why he didn’t get anything, especially after she offered to cover the meal. Finally spitting it out, “Why didn’t you get something?”
“I did, I got coffee.” He smiles, knowing what she’ll say.
“But the coffee’s free!” They say in-sync. Stelle’s cheek go pink, yet again. What is this man doing to her.
“Hehe. Sorry Miss, just think of it as ya owe me one later!” Giving a cheeky wink, he gets up, about to leave. Say it. Say it now. You won’t get a chance like this. The two of you alone. Ever. Again.
” Hey..Sampo?”
He turns to her, nodding. “Um. This was really nice. Thanks. Maybe we could do it again sometime?” Her blush deepens, squeezing her eyes shut, terrified. More terrified than she felt fighting Cocolia.
Stelle hears quiet footsteps walking her way. Getting so close. Then she feels a soft wet sensation on her cheek. It felt so nice, so oddly innocent. Opening her eyes in surprise, she can’t help but smile. His gloved hand reaching towards her face, his thumb rubbing small circles into her cheek. Stelle leaned deep into his touch, her head falling so his thumb rubs into her lips. She could see Sampo’s cheeks redden, slightly. So faint. So cute. He regained composure and pulled away, rubbing his thumb around his lips. Oh wow.
“See ya~” His wide smile covering that smug face. And then he was gone. Classic Sampo. They felt over her lips, feeling warm. A small smile growing on their face, looking down at their other hand something was loose in their grip, how strange. It was a small note, it read ‘Thanks for the date Miss Trailblazer! Hit me up for a second one (555-xxx)’ it had a crudely drawn winking Sampo on it, their smile growing by the moment. Sure Sampo had texted them before, but those were all burner phone numbers, but this, undoubtably was an actual one.
Wait..did he say DATE?